86 



how to supply its wants. Every farmer should insist upon an in- 

 terpretation of the analysis furnished him by the chemist. 



In conclusion, I would call your attention to the duty of the in- 

 telligent agriculturist to acquire a theoretical knowledge of so 

 much chemistry as relates to his profession, that he may be ena- 

 bled to judge for himself of the value of a substance from the 

 chemical analysis of it, and also of the probable value of the analy- 

 sis itself, for at least one half of the analyses which farmers daily 

 pay for are absolutely unreliable and worthless. The agricultur- 

 ist should also be able to judge for himself of the texture, moisture 

 and color of the soil, and the means within his reach of modifying 

 them. At the same time, I would by no means advise that he 

 should attempt to become a practical chemist and do his own 

 chemical analysis, as some persons of more zeal than judgment 

 insist be may. I have pointed out the necessity for thoroughness 

 in chemical examinations of the soil, and every one who has had on- 

 ly a few month's experience in a laboratory knows that a thorough 

 analysis of a soil requires much time, great care and dexterity in 

 manipulation, and a knowledge of all the disturbing influences and 

 sources of error. This, felv farmers have the time or opportunity 

 to acquire, and few would for the sake of making the few chemical 

 examinations they might in their life-time require, be willing to 

 devote to the study time which might be so much better spent in 

 acquiring a practical knowledge of their own noble profession. 

 Besides this, the expense of fitting up a laboratory would more 

 than pay for all the analyses any farmer is likely ever to need. The 

 many formulas which have been proposed for the use of farmers 

 are therefore of very doubtful utility. Let every farmer make a 

 laboratory of his barn-yard, and carefully collect and employ all 

 the liquid as well as solid manures within his reach and if the 

 chemist is not enriched thereby, his fields will be." 



